C5rider
Member
A friend of mine handed me a couple of shot guns, an over/under and a couple of top-breaks and said "here, see what you can do with these."
They have the typical wear and rust. Likely some were "barn guns" back in the day. He got 'em from his grandfather I believe. So far as I can tell, there are no national treasures here, only family heirlooms. He's not looking at getting them firing again, but basically cleaning up the rust/corrosion and stopping the aging process as best as possible.
There are several that we'll be taking a look at, and each one has its own problems. The first one that I'd like to introduce is the pump 12-gauge with the wording "National Fire Arms Co." and 12-Ga. down by the receiver. The serial # is under the receiver but I've not found the barrel serial # or choke. I understand they are located down there by the receiver # and they used a letter for the choke. I've not located any such number/letter yet.
Not being familiar with the company, I hit the 'net. Apparently the gun was manufactured by Marlin and is an 1898 model 12-gauge pump shotgun. Here's what my Google-fu has conjured up so far:
National Firearms Company was a trade name used on firearms made for May Hardware Company of Washington, DC and Moskowitz and Herbach Company of Philadelphia, PA. Your pump gun was manufactured by Marlin Firearms Company. The best information I can find is that it is a Model 1898, made 1898-1905, or one of the successors, Models 16, 17, 19, 21, 24 or 26. Each of these models was claimed to be an improvement of the previous one and all basically looked alike in profile. It seems that Marlin made improvements every 2 years or so and made a new model.
Barrels were 26 to 32-inch and were designed to shoot nitro powder. The barrel serial number usually does not match the receiver serial number and the type of choke inside the barrel is designated with a letter (F for full, M for modified and C for cylinder bore or open choke) next to the barrel serial number. In 1902 Sears & Roebuck offered them for $17.25 to $28.00 in their catalog. The Winchester Model 1897 cost $17.82 that same year. The grip was a modified Prince of Wales affair. The Marlin 1898's have a pistol-grip stock. The Models 17 and 21 came with a straight-grip. The Model 17 is a solid frame, while the 21 is a take-down frame. This gun has a straight-grip and take down frame. This particular model was only made in 1907 and 1908. There seems to be a following for these types of Marlins and I've discovered they are widely used in cowboy action shooting.
Value of Marlin exposed hammer slide action guns ranges from $100 to $325 depending on model, grade, mechanical condition and remaining original finish. Value of a trade name gun would be reduced by 20%. The National Fire Arms Company was started in 1864, they made an exposed hammer in 1864 & 65, They made a .22 cal. until 1884. In 1904 they sold the pat. to Marlin who made a model 17 & 30 from 1907-1917. If the makings say National Fire Arms (3 words) it was made by the National Fire Arms Co. I do know that Marlin manufactured a model 30 under the name of National Firearms (2 words) for hardware stores from 1915-1917.
I have collected these for some time & have an owner’s manual for an 1864 shotgun & part of a manual for a 1882 .22 cal. It is hard to find info. on the computer, as they all refer you to Marlin. The Marlin is a $250.00 gun in good condition, the National is worth a lot more. But remember the National was a black powder cartridge gun so do not use a heavy load of smokeless powder.
So, it doesn't appear to be of extreme value, nor extremely gunked up, but I'll take the time and clean it for him and possibly get some documentation so he has some info about his granddad's old gun. I don't have any pictures right now as I just got home, but will rectify that tomorrow.
Anyone have any experience with these guns or like to share any insights? It'll likely get a good scrubbin' tomorrow or the next day. Nothing too drastic though. The ol' girl is still getting used to sunlight!
They have the typical wear and rust. Likely some were "barn guns" back in the day. He got 'em from his grandfather I believe. So far as I can tell, there are no national treasures here, only family heirlooms. He's not looking at getting them firing again, but basically cleaning up the rust/corrosion and stopping the aging process as best as possible.
There are several that we'll be taking a look at, and each one has its own problems. The first one that I'd like to introduce is the pump 12-gauge with the wording "National Fire Arms Co." and 12-Ga. down by the receiver. The serial # is under the receiver but I've not found the barrel serial # or choke. I understand they are located down there by the receiver # and they used a letter for the choke. I've not located any such number/letter yet.
Not being familiar with the company, I hit the 'net. Apparently the gun was manufactured by Marlin and is an 1898 model 12-gauge pump shotgun. Here's what my Google-fu has conjured up so far:
National Firearms Company was a trade name used on firearms made for May Hardware Company of Washington, DC and Moskowitz and Herbach Company of Philadelphia, PA. Your pump gun was manufactured by Marlin Firearms Company. The best information I can find is that it is a Model 1898, made 1898-1905, or one of the successors, Models 16, 17, 19, 21, 24 or 26. Each of these models was claimed to be an improvement of the previous one and all basically looked alike in profile. It seems that Marlin made improvements every 2 years or so and made a new model.
Barrels were 26 to 32-inch and were designed to shoot nitro powder. The barrel serial number usually does not match the receiver serial number and the type of choke inside the barrel is designated with a letter (F for full, M for modified and C for cylinder bore or open choke) next to the barrel serial number. In 1902 Sears & Roebuck offered them for $17.25 to $28.00 in their catalog. The Winchester Model 1897 cost $17.82 that same year. The grip was a modified Prince of Wales affair. The Marlin 1898's have a pistol-grip stock. The Models 17 and 21 came with a straight-grip. The Model 17 is a solid frame, while the 21 is a take-down frame. This gun has a straight-grip and take down frame. This particular model was only made in 1907 and 1908. There seems to be a following for these types of Marlins and I've discovered they are widely used in cowboy action shooting.
Value of Marlin exposed hammer slide action guns ranges from $100 to $325 depending on model, grade, mechanical condition and remaining original finish. Value of a trade name gun would be reduced by 20%. The National Fire Arms Company was started in 1864, they made an exposed hammer in 1864 & 65, They made a .22 cal. until 1884. In 1904 they sold the pat. to Marlin who made a model 17 & 30 from 1907-1917. If the makings say National Fire Arms (3 words) it was made by the National Fire Arms Co. I do know that Marlin manufactured a model 30 under the name of National Firearms (2 words) for hardware stores from 1915-1917.
I have collected these for some time & have an owner’s manual for an 1864 shotgun & part of a manual for a 1882 .22 cal. It is hard to find info. on the computer, as they all refer you to Marlin. The Marlin is a $250.00 gun in good condition, the National is worth a lot more. But remember the National was a black powder cartridge gun so do not use a heavy load of smokeless powder.
So, it doesn't appear to be of extreme value, nor extremely gunked up, but I'll take the time and clean it for him and possibly get some documentation so he has some info about his granddad's old gun. I don't have any pictures right now as I just got home, but will rectify that tomorrow.
Anyone have any experience with these guns or like to share any insights? It'll likely get a good scrubbin' tomorrow or the next day. Nothing too drastic though. The ol' girl is still getting used to sunlight!